Hadith #11059

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

God-given success is from the attractions [that pulls one] towards the Lord.

Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its deeper meanings in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (tawfiq) "تَوْفِيقُ", which refers to divine assistance, guidance, and success. It is a blessing bestowed upon individuals by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) to enable them to achieve righteousness and fulfill their potential. Tawfiq is not merely a result of personal efforts or abilities, but it is a divine favor that empowers individuals to overcome challenges and accomplish their goals.

To understand the concept of tawfiq further, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:29), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse highlights that when individuals sincerely fear Allah and strive to please Him, He grants them the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, purifies their souls from sins, and bestows His forgiveness upon them. This divine assistance is a manifestation of tawfiq.

Another verse that sheds light on the concept of tawfiq is found in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse emphasizes that true guidance comes solely from Allah, and it is He who grants tawfiq to individuals to be guided on the right path. It is not within the power of any human being to guide others unless Allah wills it.

Now, let us reflect on the beautiful Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of these Quranic verses. The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that God-given success is from the attractions that pull one towards the Lord. This implies that tawfiq is not a random occurrence, but it is a result of being drawn towards Allah and seeking His pleasure.

The attractions mentioned by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) can be understood as the various means through which individuals are inclined towards Allah. These attractions can include acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting, and charity, as well as seeking knowledge, practicing patience, and displaying good character. When individuals engage in these attractions with sincerity and devotion, they are drawn closer to Allah, and He, in turn, grants them tawfiq to succeed in their endeavors.

For example, if a person is attracted to the act of prayer and consistently performs it with humility and concentration, they are more likely to be granted tawfiq to excel in their prayer and experience its spiritual benefits. Similarly, if someone is attracted to seeking knowledge and dedicates themselves to studying the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), they are more likely to be guided by Allah and granted success in their pursuit of knowledge.

The consequences of being granted tawfiq are immense. When individuals are blessed with divine assistance, they are able to overcome obstacles, make wise decisions, and achieve their goals in a manner that is pleasing to Allah. Tawfiq enables individuals to lead a righteous and fulfilling life, both in this world and in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that God-given success is a result of being attracted towards Allah and seeking His pleasure. Tawfiq is a divine favor bestowed upon individuals who sincerely strive to please Allah and engage in acts of worship and righteousness. By understanding the attractions that draw us closer to Allah and actively pursuing them, we can hope to be granted tawfiq and experience true success in all aspects of our lives. May Allah grant us all the tawfiq to be guided towards Him and attain success in this world and the Hereafter.